Building irrelevance

The Anglican synod’s decision to rebuild Christ Church Cathedral seems to be triumph of the symbolic and nostalgic over the theologic. Rob Patterson (Letters, Sept 14) gives practicality, finance and a missed updating opportunity for his belief it was wrong.

Here’s hoping a revamped interior reflects newer in-the-round understandings of god-incommunity. But less enlightened alternatives go far back. Choosing the cross symbol over the earlier Christian fish has condemned centuries of attendees to a cold, remote worship place, often reflecting similar theologics.

This decision recalls other confusions. At least two United States presidents had ‘‘spiritual advisers’’ from southern churches with a weak understanding of modern Christianity’s role of critiquing the state.

Witness the unholy alliance of church and state in Trump’s appointment of pastors with flags in their churches. How can patriotic Christians criticise their country when it’s on the side of their god?

Many churches retain this symbolic confusion; some have still not disestablished. Writers become heroes where churches neglect prophetic roles of ‘‘calling out’’ misguided policies. Shakespeare’s London was notable for its spires skyline yet behaved like a theocracy.

It would truly be a social sin if a rebuilt Christchurch cathedral became a nostalgic symbol of an established church few attend through irrelevance.

STEVE LIDDLE Napier